“Whether you're gay, straight or somewhere in between, Bloomington offers something rarely found in this country: a small town with a bold history of openness and acceptance."

Out Traveler Magazine

The Backstage Blog

Head Backstage to be in the know.

We want to take you behind the scenes, to give you insider information you won't find anywhere else. This is where we pull Bloomington's hip happenings together with recommendations from our team, first-hand accounts from project producers, and guest blogs by local gurus. The Backstage Blog helps you stay in front of it all.

How to be a happy grad student in Bloomington

Indiana University is a great school in so many academic fields, so grad students come from all over the country and the world. Many of you might not know that your new home city is just as fabulous as your new school. As an IU graduate alum (SPEA represent), I learned some things about making the most of my time here in Bloomington -- and fell in love with the city so much that I'm still here! Here are some of my tips to help you get the most out of IU and Bloomington.

1. Wells Library isn't the only place to study.

Because Bloomington is full of students (they make up half our city's population), studying in unconventional places is common. Wells is fabulous and no one is allowed to deny that if you ask me, but coffee shops like Hopscotch, Scholars Inn Bakehouse, Rainbow Bakery, Soma (they have a quiet room in back!), and more are all hot places to open a book or a laptop. I also loved the Monroe County Public Library for studying (and now for pleasure reading, which you can forget about while in school). It's right on Kirkwood so it might be closer to your house than many campus locations. Change your scenery and you'll be inspired.

3. Encourage your friends to visit in the off-season.

While the undergrad students tend to go home and stay with their families over long breaks like winter break and summer, a lot of grad students stay in town. That's a great time to invite your friends and family to visit you in Bloomington and enjoy less traffic, shorter lines in restaurants, and special discounts or lower rates in hotels. Plus, it's absolutely gorgeous here in winter when the square is illuminated by thousands of lights!

4. Branch out of your department sometimes.

Even though it will break our hearts when you eventually leave Bloomington, be sure that you make some friends outside of your department, including with us locals. It will give you a respite from school drama when you need it, and no one knows Bloomington better than the thousands of people who came here for school and somehow never left.

5. Make the most of your GA stipend and student discounts.

Another great thing about living in a college town is the plethora of student
discounts. Most performing arts organizations offer student discounts,
including on-campus shows like operas and theater, plus off campus at
Cardinal Stage Company, some shows at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, the PRIDE Film Festival,
and many other events (just ask!). And if you like sports, you get great
deals on those tickets as well -- I recommend the women's basketball
team, and don't forget to wear cream and crimson!

6. Get involved on campus.

While all the above stuff is about what to do in the city, don't forget that you are a part of campus! Take advantage of everything that IU offers, like your free gym membership and exercise classes at the SRSC, free buses around campus (and your ID gets you on city buses for free!), academic help, free concerts at the Jacobs School of Music, and so much more. Plus, most departments have professional organizations and grad student clubs so you can build your career and meet like-minded people.

If there are any students or alumni out there, share your tips in the comments!

Abby Perfetti

Hailing from Indianapolis, Abby has lived in Bloomington since 2009. She was the Content & Social Media Coordinator for Visit Bloomington, and in her spare time, she sings in choirs, gardens, enjoys the occasional craft beer, and volunteers for Bloomington PRIDE where her wife, Sarah, is the director.